COPD Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current respiratory condition and his military service or any exposure to asbestos. The Board also found that the Veteran’s statements regarding post-service asbestos exposure were inconsistent with earlier records.

The Veteran's lung disability (COPD, emphysema) and rheumatoid arthritis are granted as service connected. The claim for secondary service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, COPD, and PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the receipt of a new VA medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD, residuals of a heart attack, hypertension, and gout. The decision is based on the lack of medical nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to COPD, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, COPD, calcified cavitary lung lesions, and granulomatous mass. The Board found that these conditions were not related to in-service exposure or service.

The Board has denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to the Veteran not meeting the criteria for total disability for ten years prior to death or continuously since active duty and at least five years before death. The appeal is also remanded for further review of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about how to measure the Veteran's service-connected respiratory disability, specifically whether DLCO test results are appropriate given a private medical opinion suggesting asbestos exposure may have contributed to his COPD and emphysema.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disorder, sleep disorder, hypertension, heart disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and psychiatric disorder. The appellant's claims were not supported by competent, credible evidence of record.,Service connection was not established as the preponderance of the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of his March and September 2014 rating decisions that denied service connection for respiratory conditions (claimed as asbestosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, and respiratory infections) and vasovagal syncope due to the VA Form 9 substantive appeal being untimely filed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's COPD may be related to his service-connected pulmonary hypertension and is requesting additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, as secondary to his service-connected tuberculosis, needs further clarification and evidence. The decision is remanded to obtain a medical opinion addressing whether COPD is proximately due to or aggravated by tuberculosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for pleural plaque emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (hypoxemia) due to potential in-service exposure, unresolved issues regarding causation, and need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Service connection was granted for a splenectomy secondary to the service-connected NHL.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD and hypertension due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran needs to provide an etiology opinion on whether his COPD and hypertension are related to his active service.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

Your appeals for service connection on hypertension, low circulation of the lower extremities, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been dismissed due to your death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis is granted. The claim of service connection for a respiratory disability, to include bronchitis (on the merits), is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the claim of service connection for a left foot disability, to include as secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected right foot disability.